Tag Archives: metro parks

How could it already be time for 024 again in 2017!!!??? I’ve been sitting at my computer for the past couple nights trying to figure out how the heck I am going to bring my blog current. Finally I decided to heck with it. I’ll start with what is fresh in my mind then slowly work on race reports and happenings as I go along. So — that said, if you are a family member or close friend — PLEASE do not take offense in the order of my posts. They are not in order of importance (and I have to tell you — there has been some REALLY important things going on in my life lately) I’m just going with what is fresh then filling in the blanks as I go along… Sorry if this is a little long and wordy…. I’m a bit rusty at this —-

That being said… HOLY. HELL!!! OUTRUN – O24 2017!!!!

Training for O24 this year was going along pretty well — and then… BAM! Christa took a spill on a trail run and busted open her knee. I carried her out of the trail and to the road where we were lucky enough to flag down a park ranger. The ranger drove her back to her car and pretty much gave her all the contents of her first aid kit. We were only about a mile from our cars and I had Cato so Cato and I sprinted back to meet them. End result was stitches and a bum knee – for months. Then as she was recovering I caught some sort of stomach bug, lost 18lbs and was sick for nearly a month. That kind of derailed our training, but we were going to make the best of it!

The morning of the race was upon us – Christa had her goals and I had mine; A) 100 miles, B) 24hrs and if I didn’t make those —- at least a 100k. Everything started out just fine — except for the weather, it rained maybe 90% of the time.

The race started off pretty well. I shared many of the beginning miles with Christa and our friend Mark. Their plans were to run 100 miles — mine was well ever changing. They were running a bit too fast for me so I decided to slow my pace to make sure I could at least continue on for the entire day – and that is when the shenanigans really ramped up….

I ran into the aid station without them, popped my head into the lodge and was immediately yelled at, “SEMICK! Get the hell outta here! Get moving!” (Beth, I know it was out of love… lol)…. so back out on the trail I went. So many people to talk with during the race and the next several people I came across all made mention of me pooping??? Finally I caught up with Christa again and our conversation went something like;

Me – “Hey! Apparently everyone on the course thinks that I have been pooping and Facebooking or Facebooking WHILE pooping all the time during the race.”

Christa – (Near uncontrollable laughter) — well have you?”

Me “No! But thanks to you everyone thinks I have been”

One of these conversations took place while someone was running just behind us and he started laughing out loud as well. To which I just had to reply to him, “Well? What else are you supposed to do in there? It’s not like there are shampoo bottles to read?!” To which he replied, “ya know you’re right. I may have been the only 10year old who knew how to pronounce Methylisothiazolinone!” (That’s when I knew he got it too.)

On ward we pressed. Another quick stop at the aid station every couple laps, getting yelled at to keep going, and sharing miles and smiles with some of my closest friends and family. Twenty plus miles flew by, but then I started getting that stupid pain in my right hip, groin, inner-thigh, knee area again so I was stopping every few miles to stretch it out. It got to the point where I resided to complete a 50k and call it a day. Christa’s friends had shown up to cheer everyone on and run some miles with us. One in particular, Lee – asked her where I was and of course the answer was “pooping I think.” Well, Lee decided to come looking – I think she even may have checked the bathroom before I saw her looking in the lodge window at me while I was stretching – and knew I was in trouble. She came in, we chatted, I told her what was going on, and she told me her ideas of helping – which of course originated from her wife who happens to be a great PT. So, Tonya? The advice that you gave to Lee and subsequently Lee gave to me – worked, thanks! 🙂

So Lee got me out, ran with me some and I ended up doing another 19miles for an even 50 miles. I met back up with Christa and our friend Jay who had been pacing her for many miles said he was going to head on home. This is when I officially called my event but kept my bib. I knew I would be pacing Christa during night – cuz she was definitely going to hit her goal of 100miles!

Chirsta continued on and I ended up pacing her every other mile. I think it was about mile 70 or so when I found out that she was the lead woman! This had me pretty worried. I tried to let her know what place she was in earlier and, uh… well… lets just say she didn’t want to know, lol. I decided to message her friends and ask for advice – “Hey, Christa only wanted to do a 100miles and call it a day.. she’s currently the lead woman. Should I tell her and then run for cover?” I knew the answer would be yes. I knew I had to let her know. So I did and as expected it was met with some yelling, cursing, some incomprehensible muttering and arm flailing. When it was over tho — she now had a new goal. To win. I continued to pace – jokes and insults continued to fly (mostly at my expense) and when the smoke cleared? I finished 73 miles and Christa crushed 110miles in under 24hrs for a 1st woman and 3rd place overall finish! She seriously amazes me in every way!

So many of my friends did amazing things – as usual! My brother Denny, who’s furthest run before this was 22miles knocked out 50 miles! Michele who’s been out being sick and with an injury managed to bust out a 100k! Dave finished 100miles and also took the “crazy legs” award. This is a rolling 5yr award for the most miles in 5 years — Dave completed 526miles! My buddy Bob, who just started running and wanted to complete his first half marathon just a year ago busted out 77miles! Mark who “needed” a new O24 buckle because his wasn’t as shiny anymore completed 100miles. And Troy who set the record last year at 129miles, crushed it by completing 137miles!! I know I’m leaving out a ton of friends and I apologize — there are just too many to list. Click here for the entire finishers report and a link to all the race statistics. They are pretty damn impressive! Huge thanks to everyone that makes this event what it is – First Class. Well done folks!!

Now… lets see if I can get some momentum going and get this thing up to date!